Man Foiled In Church Van Catalytic Converter Theft In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — An Egg Harbor Township man who tried to steal a catalytic converter out of a church's van was arrested Monday on charges of criminal mischief and attempted theft, Manchester police said Tuesday.

Charles Robinson, 35, of Egg Harbor Township, was arrested Monday at his home, Manchester Capt. Vincent Manco said. He has been charged with criminal mischief, attempted theft, and possession of burglary tools, Manco said.

Manchester police were called to the parking lot of Whiting Bible Church on Lacey Road about 3:30 p.m. Monday after a nearby resident reported seeing a man trying to cut the catalytic converter from the church's Ford van, Manco said.

The caller approached the man, who got into a Ford F150 and took off before police arrived, he said.

Manchester Patrolman Brian Volk immediately began checking the area for the Ford F150 and spoke with a nearby resident who had seen the truck before the incident at the church and had written down the license plate number, Manco said.

Manchester police checked New Jersey motor vehicle records and found the truck was registered at a home in Egg Harbor Township, he said.

Detectives Adam Guker and Victoria Raub went to the Egg Harbor Township address, along with detectives from the Egg Harbor Township Police Department and waited for the truck to arrive home. The driver was identified as Robinson, and a search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of numerous tools and cutting instruments that detectives determined had been used during the attempt to steal the catalytic converter.

He was arrested and charged, then released on criminal summonses pending a future court date, under New Jersey bail reform rules.

Manco said Manchester police are urging vehicle owners to be aware of the increased risk of catalytic converter thefts. Vehicles with large gasoline engines such as work trucks, recreational vehicles, box trucks and vans are commonly targeted for their catalytic converters, though ones from hybrid cars are also considered highly valuable.

Catalytic converters are part of a vehicle's emission system and are valuable in the second-hand market. The damage from these thefts along with replacement costs can be in the thousands of dollars, Manco said.

"Vehicles left unattended in lots, yards or clubhouses for any period of time are frequently targeted," he said.

Anyone with information regarding any investigation is encouraged to contact the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-6111. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.manchesterpolicenj.com. Tips may also be submitted through private messages on the department's social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok).

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